New legislation being considered by the UK government could grant local authorities sweeping powers to prohibit all petrol and diesel vehicles from specific areas, with a potential start date of 2035. This move, part of a proposed update to the Clean Air Act, has raised significant alarm among motoring groups and classic car enthusiasts.
What the Proposed Clean Air Act Changes Mean
The core of the proposed change lies in the potential removal of the word 'non-road mobile machinery' from the existing Clean Air Act legislation. This seemingly small amendment would dramatically expand the scope of the Act, allowing it to cover all vehicles on the road. Currently, the Act's powers are more limited, but the update would enable councils to create zero-emission zones where any vehicle producing tailpipe emissions could be barred.
According to documents reviewed, these new powers could be activated from 1 January 2035. This date is not set in stone for a nationwide ban but represents the point from which local authorities could choose to implement such prohibitions. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stated the measure is designed to help councils tackle air pollution hotspots, but admits the impact on historic vehicles is under assessment.
Backlash from Motoring Organisations
The proposal has been met with fierce criticism from leading motoring bodies. The RAC Foundation and the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Historic Vehicles have both voiced strong concerns. They argue that the plans lack clarity and could inadvertently threaten the future of classic car ownership and use in the UK.
Classic vehicles, typically defined as those over 40 years old, are currently exempt from many clean air zone charges, such as London's ULEZ. However, this new legislation contains no such automatic protection. Without specific exemptions written into the law, councils could theoretically ban these historic vehicles from zones they designate, regardless of their age or historical value.
Sir Greg Knight, a Conservative MP and co-chair of the historic vehicles group, has been particularly vocal. He has labelled the potential for a classic car ban as "ridiculous" and is pushing for explicit safeguards to be included in the final legislation. The government has acknowledged these concerns, with a Defra spokesperson confirming that the implications for historic vehicles are part of their ongoing analysis.
The Road Ahead for UK Drivers
This development adds another layer of complexity to the UK's transition away from fossil-fuel transport. While the government's headline commitment remains to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, these proposed local powers could effectively accelerate the removal of existing vehicles from certain urban areas.
The key distinction is that this would be a local authority-led measure, not a blanket national ban. It would empower individual councils, potentially leading to a patchwork of regulations across the country. A driver's ability to use an older vehicle could depend entirely on which town or city they need to access.
For now, the proposal is still under consultation and review. Motoring organisations are urging the government to provide clear, legally-binding exemptions for historic vehicles to preserve the nation's motoring heritage. The final decision will reveal how the government balances its air quality targets with the interests of millions of drivers and cherished classic car owners.
